Diverse research programs employing complementary strategies have been uncovering
cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms essential to avian beak development and …

Characterizing how variation in the tempo and mode of evolution has structured the
phenotypic diversity of extant species is a central goal of macroevolution,–. However …

Patterns of integration and modularity among organismal traits are prevalent across the tree
of life, and at multiple scales of biological organization. Over the past several decades …

Species richness is strikingly uneven across taxonomic groups at all hierarchical levels, but
the reasons for this heterogeneity are poorly understood. It is well established that …

Major trade-offs often manifest as axes of diversity in organismal functional systems.
Overarching trade-offs may result in high trait integration and restrict the trajectory of …

It is accepted that non-avian theropod dinosaurs, with their long muscular tails and small
forelimbs, had a centre-of-mass close to the hip, while extant birds, with their reduced tails …

The diversity of vertebrate skeletons is often attributed to adaptations to distinct ecological
factors such as diet, locomotion, and sensory environment. Although the adaptive evolution …

Background The origin of birds from non-avian theropod dinosaur ancestors required a
comprehensive restructuring of the body plan to enable the evolution of powered flight. One …

In birds, the quadrate connects the mandible and skull, and plays an important role in cranial
kinesis. Avian quadrate morphology may therefore be assumed to have been influenced by …

Anseriformes is a diverse group of birds that comprises screamers, the Magpie Goose, and
swans ducks and geese, with a relatively rich fossil record. Waterfowl live in close relation to …